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Work and education: What's new in France in 2026
From tax and invoicing to changes in schools
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Workers in France can take 17-day break using only eight days of leave in 2026
Favourable calendar for public holidays makes extended May break possible, with five guaranteed long weekends throughout year
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Many of France’s chambres d’hôtes face closure under 2026 tax and social charge changes
Measures designed to curb Airbnb-style lets are set to hit traditional B&Bs particularly hard
Luncheon voucher use earns boss a warning
Many workers use them for shopping or to pay for meals out
A Paris company boss received a nine-page reprimand from employment inspectors... because an employee had used a luncheon voucher on a Sunday.
Tickets restaurant, Chèques restaurant, Chèque déjeuner and Chèque de table are only to be used to buy a meal or food for a meal on working days but the worker was not working. If they had they been working they should have used vouchers stating that they were at work on a Sunday or jour férié.
Under the Code de Travail staff cannot eat at their desk or work post and firms that have more than 25 staff must offer luncheon vouchers or set up
a canteen.
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The firm and staff split costs and all staff get the same value. For tax reasons it is rarely more than €10.42 and averages €7.50.
Many lunchtime menus are priced to meet vouchers, with €12 a common price point.
It is no surprise France has an eat-out lifestyle when so many people get vouchers but the rules are widely flouted. Many workers use them for shopping or to pay for meals out and shops and restaurants have little interest in refusing custom.
